In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 84):

Shorty smiles at the news that his family is okay.  But then he looks hard at Dualis.  "Joe guy not be bad.  Him fight king 'n save lotta people.  Him just get scairt cause peoples die.  It be little accident.  But save more den what hurt.  Drud say dat be sometin call ball ance.  Me not unnner stan what got do wid ball.  But all work out when done."

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 84):

Morteft says, "Well, let's de-brief Lord Cartet and then we can check out what changes there are."

In reply to Shorty (msg # 85):

Dualis:"Yes Shorty, Joe is not bad; but he can be a danger to himself and others if he can't control himself.  He shall be looked after."

Basil comes back and announces that Lord Cartet is ready to see you now.  You walk thru a short hallway into the audience chamber.  There are some noticeable differences.  The tapestries around the room are all different, the color schemes and designs are not as you remember.  The large table in the middle of the room is at least 1/3 smaller.  There was a tapestry commemorating your victory over the trolls a couple of years ago; but that is gone.  In it's place is a aerial view of Calator and you immediately recognize that there is no great wall around the city.

You see Lord Cartet on his chair and next to him is Rhoeo.  Even LC looks a little different, he now has a goatee instead of a full beard.  LC stands to welcome you.

"Ah Master Mage, welcome.  Oh and Morteft, good to see you. Aztar, hello again, find anything interesting in the hills?"  he looks at Warwick and Shorty as if trying to remember something.  "Warmak is it and Biggin?  Hmm, I feel I should know you; but alas the memory won't come.
    So what is the final news on the skirmish at the crater?  Rhoeo has informed me of some, wasn't too difficult I trust."

Rhoeo: "Yes, some things are a bit fuzzy, I believe I was struck in the head, will need to see a cleric about that."

LC:"Quite.  As I was saying those outlying troll settlement can be a nuisance.  Oh and what about this Joe fellow?  Sounds dangerous, killed several guards I understand, may need to bring him up on charges."

Dualis:"I will be handling the Joe matter Cartet, you won't need to concern yourself there.  The trolls were routed but there was a fair loss of your troops.  This small band you sent to help out was the reason it wasn't worse."  he indicates the rest of you.

LC listens and then regards you all: "Well then, thank you my friends for your gallant efforts."

There is a pause as everyone looks at you 4.

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 87):

Shorty waves happily at LC.  "Hi King Guy.  Me be Shorty.  Be okay not member.  Me not so smarts sometime too.  Youse gives me kitty fer savin world an city last time troll come here.  Me still gots kitty see.  Him bery smarts."  Shorty reaches into his pocket and pulls out the sabertooth figurine and calls for Kitty."  Shorty then looks around.  "Where be metal birdy?  Youse got birdy likes me but him not be nices all da time."  Shorty grins at LC happily.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 88):

Lord Cartet gives Shorty a quizzical look and then looks at Rhoeo who shrugs.  Dualis breaks the silence.  "Shorty, that was the king of Delith, this is Lord Cartet of Calator."  He motions to LC.  Dualis continues.

"To answer your question about the battle more fully, the troll remnant has fled back to the hills and the troll Prince has been dealt with and the crater is safe for prospecting again."

LC: "This is very good news indeed.  Thank you my friends for your aid in this, you will be handsomely rewarded.  Morteft, I think we can provide you another 10 acres of land."

Dualis:"Your indulgence please, the source of the conflict has shown itself and the threat it presents is grave.  It was also the reason the battle was as difficult as it was."

LC:"Dualis, can you please give me an hour or two of happiness before you pronounce this doom and gloom.  We are preparing the banquet and I would like to smile through it."

Dualis: "As you wish Cartet, afterwards then."  LC nods with a sigh.

LC:"Now my friends he banquet will begin in about 30 minutes, your rooms are ready.  Is there anything you may need presently?"

Actions?

--DM2

"It's Warwick Forgemaker, Lord, warrior-priest of Reorx.  Pleased to see ye again."

In reply to Shorty (msg # 88):

Shorty scratches his head in confusion.  "Der be nudder King guy?  Me thinks only dis King guy.  Be okie dokie.  Ken have lotta Kings guys.  Me not care.  Gonna has horse fer eating?  Horse be good fer King guy.  Makes strong.  Taste much better den cow.  Should try."  Shorty looks around and bends over to scratch his cat.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 91):

LC looks over at Rhoeo again, "Did he say horse?"

LC addresses Warwick: "Ah Warwick, yes indeed.  Warrior priest very nice.  Well if there is anything you need just ask.  Now prepare for the feast."


You all go off to your rooms.

Dualis will say, "After dinner I will ask something of all of you.  We are passing from one age to another, the old age will be a foggy memory.  The new age may be more perilous than the later because this enemy is far more subtle."

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 92):

Shorty nods vigorously.  "Horse taste good.  You see."

Shorty then looks to Dualis"  Me gonna be same age morrow as be dis day.  No diffrents."

In reply to Shorty (msg # 93):


Dualis: "At least a day older Shorty."

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 94):

Shorty shrugs and follows along to clean up for dinner.  He washs and then puts n his cleanest dirty clothes.  Its been a hard couple weeks after all. Shorty spends whatever time is left cleaning his armor and and polishing his weapons.

Aztar was mostly lost in thought as he looked at the changes trying to sort out the differences and absorb the "new world" that he was walking around in.  He'd never thought about manipulating time before and wasn't sure it was a good idea.

When addressed by LC, he nodded and replied simply, "It is good to see you again.  There are many interesting things out there, though I'm still unsure as to how they can best be used."

He remained silent as talk of the battle occured and when Dualis started to speak of the greater threat, Aztar was curious to hear what all he had to say and was a bit sad that the lord asked him to wait.

The alchemist wasn't big on feasts and celebrations but understood the value of them to restore morale and so he quietly nodded.  When Dualis spoke about a new age, Aztar waited a moment before replying, "I will listen to what you have to say and see if I believe I'm able to help.  Although, I've had quite a week already and am finding myself already longing to be back in the quiet of my lab."

Dualis:"My friend your lab will come to be in great need.  But you still have work to rescue Rigel.  But also study the glow rocks, perhaps call it radite or glowium.   Also how does Joe store energy from these rocks and use it?  Of course then there is Set, your services will be needed in all facets.  But you and I have much to discuss."

--DM2

In reply to Shorty (msg # 95):

Warwick spends his time mending his armor and removing a few notches from his axe.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 98):

With the metal it is coated in it won't have notches.

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 99):

OOC:  Good point, but this is a dwarf...

Warwick works on removing the imaginary notches on his axe.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 100):

OOC: Nothing much will happen during the banquet, I was seeing if there would be any small talk.

The group is called to the banquet.  You see all the Calator officials seated around the room.  Again there are subtle differences in the room, mostly decorations; but there appears to be some new and expanded divisions within the political structure of Calator.  The most obvious is that there is now a Diplomatic Corps.  This group helps with official matters dealing with other cities throughout the kingdom.  The head of this group is a lady name Serena.  She is rather tall, slight of build, with long blonde hair, she wears a silver dress.  She sits at the head table with LC and the other leaders.

The banquet itself goes well, everyone has enough to eat and drink, even Shorty.  Later after all the food has been served Lord Cartet addresses all.  He talks about the new prosperity of Calator, mentions the little troll skirmish that you were involved in and points you all out.  There is mild clapping and cheers.  He then gets to the part that appears to be the most important.  "Thanks to Lady Serena we have a new agreement with the dragons of Kalder Pass.  The dragon delegation, represented by Penny the copper, has agreed to allow safe passage of our convoys and merchant trains and ships for a moderate yearly payout to them. Our trade will now pass without harassment from the wyrms."  A great cheer goes up for this and you see Serena acknowledging the cheers.

The thing that strikes you is that before there was no problem with any dragons and the Calator trade routes.  You also know Penny well and never knew her to harass any caravan or ship, other than the troll ships.

Near the end of the banquet there is a general milling around and chit chatting.  Of the people you know, you see LC, Menor an advisor, Rhoeo, Basil, Mizirax of Urith, Tabor a mage of Calator, Linden an official,  Casur a priest of Damar, Soraal a priest of Teth.

Anyone for chit chat?

--DM2

Aztar leans over to Dualis, 'Have we lost  the relationship we had with Penny?  That will be upsetting as I've not gotten to know too many dragons in my lifetime.'

Aztar checks one of his pouches on his belt to see if the broach she gave him is still in it.

In reply to Aztar (msg # 102):

Never one for understanding politics or even table manners... Shorty stands up and looks at Dualis.  "Hows come talking bad bout Penny.  He be good Dragon jus likes baby.  Me not likes when dem say bad things.  Sides.  Me be momma fer dragon."  Shorty doesn't look happy right now.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 103):

Warwick leans in towards Shorty and says quietly.  "Remember, events are different now that the time line has been changed.  Don't worry about it."

In reply to Warwick (msg # 104):

Shorty looks down at Warwick and shakes his head.  "Penny be friend.  Gots worry bouts her.  Us needs go see make sure she be okay.  Helps her member.  Jes likes gotta find dragon dats fights wid us.  Dragons be friends so gots take care dem too.  Eben if dey be bigger den us.  Still takes care friends.  Wanna go see Penny now.  Eaten done, rights."

In reply to Shorty (msg # 105):

"Don't ye worry lad, we're going to find Penny tomorrow.  I never said we were abandoning her.  Dualis thinks this is more important at the moment, so we finish up here and then go find Penny."

In reply to Warwick (msg # 106):

Morteft says, "The dragons must have suffered even more greatly than us due to the troll menace if there numbers have grown so. That is probably a good thing. Should we investigate Penny or Set? That we should decide upon. However, I need to go to my home and see how things have fared there. Please excuse me. I will return in an hour or two unless I am needed in which case I shall return in the morning."

He bows and excuses himself discretely.

In reply to Aztar (msg # 102):

Dualis: "You still have a connection with Penny.  Certain bonds are not easily broken.  The battle with the troll fleet still happened; it just wasn't as extensive.  However overall the relationship with the dragons is strained.  Land issues and rights.  There are more dragons and our races now."

--DM2

In reply to Warwick (msg # 106):

Dualis: "Everything is fine with Penny, Shorty.  Warwick is right, you can see her tomorrow and you will as a matter of fact.  She may have some information about where Rigel is now."  He looks at Aztar.

--DM2